Trolling apparatus

ABSTRACT

A trolling reel for raising and lowering a weighted control line to which a fishing line is detachably secured includes an electrically operated drive motor coupled to the reel for positioning the control line at a desired depth and securely holding the line when the motor is not actuated. The trolling apparatus is directly or remotely controlled and includes means indicating the length of control line extended. In one embodiment, control means are provided for fully raising the line by momentarily actuating a switch. In another embodiment, the control line is fabricated from a two-conductor electrical cable with a thermistor coupled to an end of the line which is extended at an angle from the lowered line by a spool to position the thermistor in proximity to the fishing lure. A remote temperature reading instrument is coupled to the control line through a slip ring assembly positioned on the reel and reel frame.

United States Patent 1191 Booth et al. Nov. 4, 1975 TROLLING APPARATUS[75] Inventors: William M. Booth, Grand Haven; jg'g g i zggfgl fi s m gg i g Rleth Grand Raplds both Attorney, Agent, or FirmPrice, Heneveld,Huizenga & Cooper [73] Assignee: James E. Rieth, Grand Rapids,

Mi h. 22 F1 d c 24 9 [57] ABS CT 1 7 1 16 July 1 2 A trolhng reel forraising and lowenng a we1ghted [21] Appl. No.: 274,505 control line towhich a fishing line is detachabl sey cured includes an electricallyoperated drive motor i coupled to the reel for positioning the controlline at a 5 US. Cl 43/43'l2 532 33 desired depth and securely holdingthe line when the [51] Int Cl Aolk 89/00 1365b 75/44 motor is notactuated. The trolling apparatus is di- [58] Fieid 242/86 5 A 5 R 106rectly or remotely controlled and includes means indi- 2 42 I8 4 Rcating the length of control line extended. In one em- 26 1 26 27 2 4bodiment, control means are provided for fully raising 2 the line bymomentarily actuating a switch. In another [56] References Citedembodiment, the control line is fabricated from a twoconductorelectrical cable with a thermistor coupled UNITED STATES PATENTS to anend of the line which is extended at an angle 2,345,662 4/1944 Fox et al254/ l 86 from the lowered line by a spool to position the therm- RouthR X istor in proximity to the lure A remote temper, if 3 5 1 i aturereading instrument is coupled to the control line pp 3,100,606 8/1963Nicholson 242/865 R h ig a $119 assembly pos'tloned the reel and3,116,892 1/1964 Pickard 242/84.1 fee 3,645,503 2/1972 Doerfling....254/186 R 3,719,331 3/1973 11615611.... 242/865 x 11 Chums 22 DrawmgF'gures US. Patent NOQ. 4, 1975 Sheet 1 of 7 3,916,555

FIG. 2

U.S. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 2 of7 3,916,555

US. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet4 0f7 3,916,555

mm: W?

US. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 5 of7 3,916,555

F16. IZ.

/ AZZ U.S. Patent Nov. 4, 1975 Sheet 7 of7 3,916,555

FIG. 2/.

TROLLING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present inventionrelates to improved trolling apparatus and particularly to drive andcontrol means therefor, and combined trolling apparatus includingtemperature sensing means.

When trolling in relatively deep water, it is desirable to use a controlline with a heavy weight to hold the end of the control line at thedesired depth. A fishing line is coupled to the control line in adetachable manner to maintain the fishing lure at the desired depthwhile trolling and provide normal play of the fishing line once a fishstrikes and the fishing line separates from the control line. Presently,trolling reels are manually operated to raise and lower the controlline. One such apparatus is described in US. Pat. No. 3,614,016 issuedon Oct. 19, 1971 and assigned to the present assignee. Since it isnecessary to raise and lower the control line to recouple the fishingline after each strike, and since the weighted control line isfrequently payed out to lengths in excess of 100 feetQthe operation ofthe manual reels can become quite burdensome.

Although power driven fishing reels for, paying out and retrievingfishing lines are known, such systems are generally unsuitable fortrolling reels since the design considerations for the two differentreels are dissimilar. In addition to providing a powered deep watertrolling reel, it is desirable to provide depth indication means at thereel, at a remote location such as the boats pilot house; or at bothlocations. It is also frequently desirable to remotely control thetrolling reel drive and to have it retrieve the line automatically aftera strike so the fisherman can concentrate on landing the fish andquickly reattach the fishing line. These features have not been providedby existing trolling apparatus.

Since many species of fish prefer known temperature waters, it isgenerally desirable to pay out the control line to a water depth atwhich such temperature strata exists thereby positioning the lure orbait within the area habitated by the species of fish sought. The watertemperature and depth can be ascertained by a separate line lowered ameasurable distance to the desired temperature strata by positioning atemperature sensitive measuring device on the line. The trolling controlline is then payed out the same length.

The use of an electrical cable with a temperature sensitive devicepositioned at one end for the control line is suggested in US. Pat. No.3,628,274 to Charles P. Wojahn issued on Dec. 21, 1971. The devicedescribed in this patent, however, does notprovide remote reading of thedetected temperature but mounts the electrical components and indicatorsdirectly on the manually operated rotating reel. With such anarrangement, the reel must be stopped to read the water temperature andthe operator must viewthe indicator from the side of the reel which canbe very inconvenient. Additionally, the temperature sensing element ofthe system described in this patent is positioned adjacent the weight atthe end of the control line. Frequently, the fishing lure is actuallyseveral feet above, below, or away from the end of the control line thusan erroneous reading can occur. In one embodiment of the presentinvention whereupon the control line provides electrical conductors to atemperature sensing means, means are provided for positioning thetemperature sensing means in proximity to the fishing lure to provide anaccurate indication of the water temperature at which the lure islocated.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The existent need for a powered deepwater trolling reel which can be remotely operated and which providesdepth and/or temperature information is met by the unique apparatus ofthis invention.

The novel concepts of this invention include a motor driven trollingreel which is reversible and can be controlled for paying out andretrieving a control line with self-braking to securely position theline at any desired depth. The apparatus can be remotely operated andone embodiment includes an automatic control for retrieving the lineupon the actuation of a push button switch. Indicating means areprovided for directly or remotely displaying the depth of the weightcontrol line as it is payed out or retrieved. Still further aspects ofthe novel concepts embodying this invention include an electrical cableemployed as a control line and having a temperature sensitive elementelectrically coupled at one end. Means are provided for positioning thetemperature sensing element in proximity with the fishing lure employedin conjunction with the trolling control line to provide accuratetemperature measurements. The opposite end of the electrical conductorsof the cable are coupled to an easily readable remote temperatureindication means.

Apparatus embodying the present invention includes a support frame forrotatably supporting therein a line real having a shaft extendingtherefrom and coupled to a reversible motor by gear means. A controlline wound on the reel is fixedly attached to the reel at one endthereof and extends through guide means positioned on an arm extendingfrom the support frame. Control means are provided for selectivelyactuating the motor to position and hold the weighted control line at adesired depth. In some embodiments,'additional control means areprovided for actuating the motor in one direction to fully retrieve thecontrol line. In other embodiments, remote control and indicating meansare provided for controlling the motor and providing an indication ofthe depth of the control line at a location remote from the position ofthe line reel. In still further embodiments, the control line comprisesa dual conductor electrical cable having a temperature sensitive elementcoupled at one end and remote temperature sensing means coupled to theopposite end of the control conductor through coupling means on thesupport frame and reel.

It is an object, therefore, of the present invention to provide animproved trolling reel having a reversible motor drive.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a poweredtrolling reel with remote control and indicating means for the operationand use thereof.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a motorizedtrolling reel with means for controlling the motor to fully retrieve thereel automatically upon the momentary actuation of a switch.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a trollingreel with an electrical cable having temperature sensing means coupledat one end thereof and temperature indicating means coupled to anopposite end thereof through coupling means positioned on the reel andreel frame, whereby the indicating means can be positioned remote fromthe reel.

' tion thereof together with the accompanying drawings in which: 7

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a perspective view of .oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the trolling apparatus shown in FIG. 1;v I

FIG, 3 is a partial right side elevation of the trolling apparatus shownin FIG. 2; v

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the trolling apparatus taken alongthe lines I VIV in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention; 4

FIG. 6 is an electrical circuit diagram in schematic form of a controlcircuit which can be employed with the apparatus of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7 is an electrical circuit diagram in schematic form of a remotecontrol circuit and indicating means for the apparatus of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an electrical conductor which can beemployed as the control line for thetrolling apparatus of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged partial perspective view of a trollingreel whichincludes temperature sensing means;

FIG. 10 is a front elevation viewof a reel plug used mating plug for theform of the control circuit for providing a remote indication ofthetemperature detected by the temperature sensing means of the presentinvention, and showingin pictorial form the interconnection. of thesensing leads a from the indicator, to the line;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged front view of the slip rings shown pictorially inFIG. 12; 1

FIG. 14 is anvenlarged side elevation of one of the contacts employedwith the slip ring shown in FIG. 13; FIG. 15 is an enlarged plan view ofthecontact shown in FIGQ14; FIG. 16 is a front elevational view of theremote temperature indicator in which the control circuit is housed; Y 1

FIG. 17 is an enlarged front view of the end of the control lineelectrical conductor and its mechanical connection to a leader;

FIG. 18 is a front view of the end of the conductor during the secondstage of manufacture after the mounting of a temperature sensing meansthereon;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged plan view of the structure shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a partial front view of the end of the electrical conductorafter the temperature'sensing means has been coupled and sealed thereto;FIG. 21 is a side elevational pictorial view showing the suspension ofthe electrical conductorcontrol line by means of a weight and angleforming means to provide suspension of the temperature sensing means inproximity with a fishing lure; and 1i i 4 FIG. 22 is a particalperspective view partly in phantom form showing the angle forming meansof FIG. 21 in detail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS.1 through 4, there is shown a reel assembly 10 including a frame ,12 towhich is rotatably mounted a linereel 20 and a reel drive unit 30.

The frame 12 includes a base 14 to which is integrally formed a pair ofspaced vertically extending arms 13 and 15. The base l 4 is adapted tobe removably secured to a deck plate 16 by means of a pair of threadedbolts 18. The deck plate 16 is secured to the transom or gunwale of theboat by means of lugs 17 (FIG. 3). This mounting arrangement permitseasy removal of the reel assembly when not in use.

The reel 20 comprises a central spindle 22 which is secured to a reelshaft 25 by means of suitable set screws 21 as seen in FIG. 4. Shaft 25is r'otatably supported between arms 13 and 15 by means of a pair ofbushings 27 (FIG 4) fitted into the arms near the top. Shaft 25 extendsat one end into the reel drive unit to be rotatably driven thereby asdescribed below. The reel 20 is of cast aluminum havinga circumferenceof approximately 2 feet with a channelled perimeter 24 for holding thecontrol line 50 therein. The web 26 extending between the spindle andchannel of the reel includes a plurality of spaced apertures 28 whichserves both to reduce the material cost of the reel and, as described indetail below, provides means for coupling the line 50'(when anelectrical conductor) to the frame of the reel assembly. r r

The reel assembly includes a flexible action arm 60 secured at one end62 to the base 14 of frame 12 and extending outwardly and upwardlytherefrom support ing a guide wheel 64 at the opposite end thereof and aguide bushing 66 as seen in FIG. 1. The control line 50 .is anchored atone end to the reel 20 and extends from the reel over the guide wheel 64and through the guide bushing 66 where it is positionedover the edge ofthe boat for lowering into the waterfThe free end of line 50 includes aclip 52 for connecting the line to a releaseab le clip (not shown) toreleaseably hold a fishing line. As will be described in conjunctionwith FIGS. 21 and 22 below, angle forming means including weightattaching means may be attached to line 50 and spaced from clip 52. r

The reel assembly lO further includes a revolution counter 70' which'iscalibrated to indicate the length of line payed outficounter 70 has ashaft 71 (FIGS. 2 and 4) which'is'geared to 'shaft 25 of the reel bymeans of a counter gear 72 on shaft 71 engaged by a counter drive gear74 secured to shaft 25. A suitable bracket 73 mounts counter 70 to arm15. Attached to frame arm 13 is the reel drive unit 30 which providespowered drive for the reel 20 and self-braking such that once the linehas been payed out or retrieved a desired length, the drive isdeactivated and secures the reel without requiring separate reel brakingmeans.

The 'reel drive unit 30 includes an electric motor 32 and a right angledrive 33 sealed in an integral housing which is secured to a mountingplate 34 by means of suitable bolts 36. Mounting plate 34 is in turnbolted to frame arm 13 by a plurality of bolts 35. A cover 31 ispositioned over'the motor and attached to plate 34 by screws 31. Shaft38 extending from the right angle drive 33 is rotatably supported at oneend to the mounting plate 34 by means of a bushing 37 (FIG. 4). Fixedlypositioned to the shaft 38 of motor 32 is a drive gear 39 which engagesa follower gear 40 fixedly positioned on shaft 25. Gear 40 includes apair of cam detents 42 (FIG. 3) on the outer face thereof and which areengaged by a limit switch 44 (FIGS. 3 and 4) such that for each halfrevolution of shaft 25 (corresponding to 1 foot of line), switch 44 isactuated and, as explained below, is used to control a remote electricalcounter which indicates the length of line payed out. The motor 32receives electrical power from a conductor 46 which is coupled to themotor by means ofa control circuit actuated by switch 48. Switch 48 ismounted on cover 31 positioned over the motor and attached to themounting plate.

The motor 32 which is enclosed in a sealed housing together with a rightangle drive, is reversible and can be the type employed for raising andlowering powered windows for automobiles. Switch 48 is a single-poledouble-throw switch of the type employed for controlling powered windowsin+a automobile. The gear ratio between gears 39 and 40 is approximately1:2, although this ratio is not critical as long as the braking effectof the gear reduction is sufficient such that the reel is securely heldin place when the motor is not actuated.

An alternative embodiment to that shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 isillustrated in FIG. 5 where, for very heavy duty use, it is desirable toprovide a dual drive unit providing two identical reel drive units 30and 30 mounted to opposite sides of the frame 12. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 5, the reel shaft 25 is also extended through the arm offrame 12 such that it can be coupled to the shaft of the second drivemotor in an identical coupling arrangement to that shown for motor 32 inFIGS. 2 through 4. A single control switch can be employed by couplingthe reversible motors in parallel by means of an interconnectingconductor 46. The counter 70 is positioned on the second drive unit 30by means of a suitable mounting bracket. By so positioning the counter,it remains in an easily readable position adjacent the left side of thereel assembly.

Although the drive motor can, in some embodiments,

be directly controlled by means of the switch 48 which is a springreturn switch continuously held in a raising or lowering position forpaying out or retrieving the control line 50; it is desirable to providean automatic retrieving control such that the reel will automaticallyretrieve the control line once a fish has struck the lure and thefishing line is separated from the control line. Thus, while thefisherman is landing the fish, the control line will automatically beretrieved such that the fishing line can once again be coupled to thecontrol line and the line lowered to the desired depth by means ofswitch 48. Such a control circuit is illustrated in FIG. 6.

In FIG. 6, the motor 32 is represented in schematic form and includes araising winding 75 and a lowering winding 76 interconnected at one endand having opposite ends coupled to the raising and lowering .contactsof switch 48 as shown in the figure. In series vwith the windings 75 and76 is an overload limit switch 77 which is normally closed but will opento deactivate the motor in the event that the control line on the reelhas been fully retrieved such that the reel can no longer rotate. Motor32 also includes a rotating armature 78 as shown in FIG. 6. Power issupplied to the control circuit by means of a 12 volt supply such as astorage battery, through a fuse 80 in the positive supply lead and aninterconnecting jack 82 and plug 83. The negative supply lead isgrounded to' the frame of the reel assembly while the positive lead iscoupled to the common switch terminal of switch 48 to be selectivelycoupled to raising or lowering windings 75, 76 to actuate the drivemotor 32 to raise or lower (i.e., extend or retract) the control line50.

To provide automatic retrieval of the control line, the positive leadfrom the power supply is coupled to the anode of an SCR 85 which has acathode coupled directly to the raising winding 75 of the motor. The SCR85 is actuated by means ofa push botton switch 87 coupled to the gate ofSCR 85 by means of a current limiting resistor 88 which is seriallycoupled between the switch and the positive supply line. When pushbutton switch 87 is momentarily actuated, the SCR 85 is latched on toprovide a continuous conduction path from the 12 volt supply line to theraising winding 75 thereby causing the reel to be rotated in a directionto raise the control line without requiring the actuation of switch 48.

Once the line has been fully retrieved, the overload limit switch 77will open to deactivate motor 32 and interrupt the current path for SCR85 to turn the SCR off. Switch 87 is a springloaded push button switchwhich need only be momentarily actuated to fire the SCR. The parallelresistive-capacitive network 89 coupled from the gate to the cathode ofthe SCR protects the SCR from inductive voltage spikes by dissipatingthe energy therefrom. Although the current overload switch 77 isemployed to turn SCR 85 off, other switching means such as a switchsuitably coupled to the counter 70 can be employed to interrupt thecurrent path for SCR 85 when the counter returns to the zero position.Other switching means such as a switch actuated by the deflection offlexible arm 60 (FIG. 1) once the line has been fully retrieved, can beemployed to deactivate SCR 85 and thereby turn off the motor 32 once theline has been fully retrieved.

In addition to providing automatic retrieval of the control line oncethe fishing line has been separated therefrom, it is sometimes desirableto be capable of remotely controlling the trolling reel from the pilothouse or other remote location of the boat. It is also desirable toprovide an indication of the length of control line payed out at thesame remote location. A control circuit for providing such remotecontrol and indication is shown in FIG. 7.

In FIG. 7, components identical to those in FIG. 6 are represented bythe same reference character. In this circuit, the regular controlswitch 48 is provided at the reel frame assembly for directlycontrolling the line reel 20. In addition, a remote control panel 110 islocated at a desired remote location and coupled to the trollingapparatus by a multiple-conductor interconnecting cable 95. Jack-plugpairs 96 and 97 are used to connect cable to panel and the reel driveunit 30. Panel 110 houses an identical switch 48' parallelly coupled toswitch 48 by means of interconnecting leads 90, 92 and 94 of cable 95which couple the common contact, the raising contact, and the loweringcontact of switches 48 and 48, respectively. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 7, a pair of diodes 79 are serially coupled between the raising andlowering contacts of switches 48 and 48' and windings 75 and 76 of motor32, as shown, to isolate and electrical counter 100 in the an panel 110.

Counter 100 is a standard commerically available counter having apositive count winding 102 and a negative count winding 104v forincrementing and decrementing the digital count indicated thereby.Switch 44, which is physically shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are schematicallyshown in FIG. 7, is momentarily actuated twice for each revolution ofthe gear 40 as described above. This switch provides a ground returnpath for windings 102 and 104 of counter 100 through interconnectingconductor 98 included in the remote cable 95. As either of switches 48or 48 are actuated, they supply voltage to one of the windings 102 or104 of counter 100 and motor windings 75 or 76; as line reel rotates andswitch 44 is momentarily actuated, the counter is incremented ordecremented indicating the line payed out or retrieved. The circuit ofFIG. 7, therefore, provides both the remote control of line reel 20 aswell as a remote indication of the length of control line extended. Thepush button switch 87 for momentarily actuating SCR 85 to automaticallyretrieve the control line as discussed with reference to FIG. 6 above,can be positioned at the reel assembly as shown in FIG. 7 or, ifdesired, can be included in the remote control panel 110 by including inthe remote cable 95, a pair of additional leads for interconnectingswitch 87 with the SCR circuit.

In addition to providing automatic retrieval and remote operation of thetrolling apparatus, the control line of the trolling apparatus can befabricated from an electrical conductor such as that shown in FIG. 8 toprovide, in combination with the trolling apparatus, means for measuringthe temperature of the water at which the control line is positioned.Turning now to FIG. 8, there is shown a cross-sectional view of asuitable electrical cable 51 which can be used as the control line forthe trolling apparatus. Cable 51 includes a pair of electricalconductors 53 and 54 surrounded by strands of insulating material 56.Material 56 is structurally sufficiently strong'to provide tensilestrength for cable 51 which is adequate for the trolling apparatus. Inone embodiment, fiberglass strands of material were employed. Theelectrical cable 51 is surrounded by a suitable insulating jacket 55which is waterproof and provides electrical insulation for the cable aswell as seals the cable from water leakage. 1

As seen in FIG. 9, the electrical cable 51 extends through the end ofreel channel 24 and is anchored at one end to the reel 20 at an edge ofone of the apertures 28 be a crimping clip 57. An aperture is drilledthrough the channel and a portion of the reel web 26 to allow cable 51to be so anchored. A two-prong electrical plug 58 is coupled to this endof the cable 51 to provide'connecting means for electrically connectingthe electrical cable to the temperature indicating means as describedbelow. With such an arrangement, the electrical cable' 51 (i.e., controlline) can be easily replaced, if neces-- sary, without disassembling theentire reel frame assembly. It is noted here that the end of electricalcable of adapter plugs and aninterconnecting cable 114 shown in FIGS. 10and 11, now described.

The circular adapter plugs 115 (FIGS. 10 and 11) comprise a pair ofidentical circular discs of molded plastic material and having an ovalcentral recess 117 in one side. A jack 118 adapted to receive plug 58 issecur'ed to one of the plugs (FIG. 10) within recess 117 by a suitablebracket 113. Each adapter plug 115 includes a peripheral shoulder 119which permits each of the plugs to be positioned and centered onopposite sides of the reel aperture 28. First, the adapter plug withjack 118 is fitted into aperture 28 and plug 58 is inserted into jack118. Then the remaining plug 115 is snapped into the aperture 28 on theopposite side of reel 20 and the two adapter plugs 115 are securelyfastened and sealed to each other by means of a plurality of screwsinserted into the threaded apertures 116 of the plugs.

A two-conductor cable 114 extends from the two contacts of jack 1 18 andthrough an aperture 112 in the adapter plug adjacent the counter 70(FIG. 9). This cable is then extended into an aperture 122 (FIG. 9)drilled in the shoulder 22 of disc 20 and which communicates with anaperture 124 drilled longitudinally through the center of shaft 25 asshown in FIG. 13. In this manner, therefore, the two electricalconductors 53 and 54 of the control cable 51 are brought out to one endof rotating shaft 25 and to the slip ring assembly 120.

The slip ring assembly shown schematically in FIG. 12 includes acircular disc 125 (FIGS. 12 and 13) of insulating material which is'attached to the end of reel shaft 25 by means of a pair of bolts 12 6threaded into the shaft such that disc 125 rotates with the rotation ofshaft 25. Disc 125 includes an inner annular slip ring of conductingmaterial 128 and an outer annular ring of conducting material 130 whichis electrically insulated from ring 128. The slip rings so formed can befabricated from a printed circuit board by etching away the shadedannular space between the inner and outer rings and around the centralportion of the disc.

' The two-conductor cable 114 extending from the end of shaft 25 has afirst conductor 121 coupled to the inner slip ring 128 and a secondconductor 123 coupled to the outer slip ring 130. To facilitateinterconnection 51 opposite plug 58 (i.e., the free end) has atemperature sensing device such as a thermistor mounted thereto as willbe explained in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 17 through 20below.

of the conductors to the rings, a pair of recesses are provided on thedisc face opposite the rings and holes are drilled through disc 125 suchthat the conductors 121 and 122 can be soldered at one end to the ringsand do not interfere with the wiper contacts whichare coupled to theslip rings.

The slip ring assembly 120 further includes a pair of wiper contact arms132, one of which is shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. The contact arms includea dimple contact 133 atone end and are generally Z-shaped with amounting screw hole 134 at an opposite end thereof and are made of asuitable conductive and springable material such as beryllium copper.The contacts are fixedly positioned on an insulated housing 135 (FIGS. 9and 12) such that one of the contacts 133 contacts the inner slip ring128 while the remaining contact is electrically coupled to the outerclip ring 130. The contact arms are electrically coupled to theterminals of a jack 138 mounted on the, outer wall of housing 135. Inthis manner, therefore, the electrical conductors 53 and 54 of the cable51 are electrically coupled to a fixed jack 138 positioned in housing135 mounted on the fixed support arm of the reel assembly.

Housing 135 is sealed to prevent moisture and the like from interferringwith the electrical contact between the contact arms and the slip rings.Adapter plugs 115 are likewise sealed to exclude moisture and dust fromthe plug and jack 58 and 118.

A remote temperature indicator unit 140 for use together withtemperature sensing means is shown in FIG. 16 and the schematic circuitdiagram therefor is shown in FIG. 12. The indicator unit 140 comprisesan ammeter 142 calibrated in degrees Fahrenheit and coupled in aresistive bridge circuit 144. Bridge 144 includes fixed resistors 145and 146 coupled in first and second legs, respectively, an adjustableresistor 147 positioned in the third leg, and a fixed calibrationresistor 148 or a thermistor 150 (FIG. 19) coupled in the fourth leg,depending upon the position of the single-pole double-throw switch 149.The meter includes a current limiting resistor 143 serially coupledtherewith.

The junction of resistors 145 and 146 and the junction of resistor 147with the calibration resistor 148 or thermistor 150, respectively, arecoupled across a voltage source such as a battery 160 by means of anon-off switch 162, a fixed resistor 164, and a.variable resistor 166. Ashunting resistor 168 is also coupled between these junctions to dampmeter 142. Coupled to the temperature indicating terminal of switch 149and to the junction of resistors 147 and 148 is a twoconductor lead 170having a plug 172 at the end which is adapted to fit within jack 138'onthe slip ring housing 135 (FIG. 9). When so interconnected, and with theswitch in the temperature indicating position; the thermistor 150 iscoupled in the fourth leg of the bridge circuit 144 and depending uponthe water temperature, its resistance varies to provide a currentthrough meter 142 which then indicates the water temperature.

The indicator 140 is calibrated by first inserting the thermistor in icewater, which is generally available on a boat, and with switch 149 inthe temperature reading position, by adjusting resistor 166 for zerometer current of a 32 F. reading. Next, switch 149 is positioned in thecalibration position which inserts calibrating resistor 148 into thecircuit and whose resistance is selected to correspond to the 120 F.reading on meter 142. Resistor 147 is adjusted for full scale deflectionof the meter 142 which corresponds roughly to the 120 F. mark. Switch149 is then positioned once again to the temperature reading positionand the unit is ready for operation. As line 51 is lowered into thewater, meter 142 will indicate the temperature of the water at which thethermistor 150 is located. Having described the electrical coupling ofthe cable 51 (employed as the control line for the temperature readingembodiment of the trolling apparatus) to the temperature indicatingmeans, a description of the mounting of a thermistor on the free end ofthe control line to provide temperature sensing means is-now presented.

Referring now to FIGS. 17 through 20, there is shown the steps ofmanufacture of the end of electrical cable 51 and the sealed mounting ofthe thermistor 150 thereto. In FIG. 17, the cable 51 is passed through aring 52' on clip-52 in a double half hiteh. A crimping connector 57secures the return end of the cable 51 to the lead end. The end of cable51 i8 then stripped of insulation to bare conductors 53 and 84 thereof.

Next, an insulating tape 152 of, for example Mylar, is wrapped aroundcrimp connector 57 at least one time, and a thermistor is positioned onthe outer surface of the tape which is then wrapped around thethermistor at least once or twice to hold it in place. Thermistor leads153 and 154 are then soldered to conductors 53 and 54 of cable 51, asshown in FIG. 19, to electrically couple the thermistor to the cable. Ahalf of a gelatin capsule which has an aperture 157 formed through thecurved end and which has been positioned on the cable 51 above theconnection, is slid down over the thermistor and taped into the positionshown in FIG. 18. Finally, the capsule 156 is filled with a standardcommercially available potting material 158 to form a mechanically rigidand waterproof seal for the thermistor as shown in FIG. 20. The capsuleserves as a mold for the potting material and dissolves as the pottingmaterial cures. Material 158 seals the thermistor in position to theclip 52 and assures continuous electrical and mechanical connection ofthe thermistor to cable 51 and its mechanical connection to clip 52.

In order to suspend the thermistor in proximity with the fishing lure,angle forming means (FIGS. 21 and 22) is employed. As shown in FIGS. 21and 22, electrical cable 51 having thermistor 150 incapsulated at theclip end, is suspended at an angle to the downward portion of the lineand is adjacent a lure attached to a fish line 186 which is releaseablyattached to clip 52 by means of a conventional releasing clip 188. Cable51 extends around means 180 at an angle of approximately 90 from thedownwardly suspended cable 51 and opposite the direction of motion ofthe boat (indicated by arrow A).

The angle forming means 180 comprises a spool 182 around which theelectrical cable 51 is wound approximately 450 as seen in FIG. 22. Epoxyor other suitable bonding means 184 securely holds the electrical cable51 to the spool 182 in this position. A weight is suspended from thespool 182 be means of a flexible wire rope or a rubberized shock cord bya pair of connectors 196 and 197 coupled to the weight and to the spoolrespectively. Connector 197 may be a hole drilled through the spool ormay include eye-bolts at opposite ends of spool 182 and a suitable yokeextending from the ends of the spool 182 to the flexible link 195coupling the weight to the spool.

With this arrangement, it is seen that as the boat moves in thedirection indicated by arrow A during trolling, the thermistor 150 willbe positioned at approximately the same water depth as the lure 185 andprovides a more accurate temperature indication than it would if itswere conventionally mounted adjacent weight 190. Additionally, since theclip 188 can be positioned relatively closely to the lure 185, thethermistor will also be in lateral proximity to the lure and, therefore,provide a more accurate temperature indication. The flexible connectinglink 195 allows the lure and the thermistor to remain relatively stableas the motion of the boat drags the weight 190 over an uneven lakebottom. If the weight becomes lodged temporarily or otherwise moves,such motion is largely absorbed by the flexible link 195 and not sharplytransmitted to angle forming means 180 and, therefore, to lure 185. Thishelps to maintain the lure within a desired temperature strata. Theangle forming means 180 can take a variety of forms and may comprise aform around which cable 51 is wound and molded into position after whichthe form can be removed. In such case, a suitable connector is providedfor coupling the link 195 to the cable 51.

It will become apparent to those skilled in the art that The embodimentsof the invention in which an 'exclusive property or privilege is claimedare defined as follows:

1. A deep trolling apparatus adapted for mounting to a boat to pay outand retrieve a weighted control line to which a fishing line is attachedand thereby controllably positioned in the water comprising:

a reel frame;

a line reel rotatably mounted to said frame and having a peripheralchannel for holding a line therein;

line guide means coupled at one end to said reel frame and extendingtherefrom;

a controlline anchored at one end to said reel and guidably supported bysaid guide means as it is extended and retracted to and from said reel;

weighted means attached to the opposite end of said control line forreleasably securing a fishing line to said control line;

a reversible electrical drive motor;

gear means coupling said reversible drive motor to said reel, andwherein said gear means has a gear ratio between said motor and saidreel such that when said drive means is not actuated, said reel issecurely held in position to hold said line at a predetermined selectedposition; and

means for selectively actuating said drive motor to 'line reel isfixedly attached and wherein said drive motor is a direct currentelectric motor and said gear means couples said motor to said reelshaft.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said reel frame includesa pair of arms rotatably supporting a reel shaft to which said line reelis fixedly attached, and wherein said apparatus further includes'anadditional drive motor positioned on an opposite side of said reel framefrom said first named drive motor, said additional motor coupled to saidreel shaft.

4. A deep trolling apparatus adapted for mounting to a boat to pay outand retrieve a weighted control line to which a fishing line is attachedand thereby controllably positioned in the water comprising:

a reel frame; I

a line reel rotatablymounted'to said frame and haw ing a peripheralchannel for holding a line therein; line guide means coupled at one endto said reel frame and extending therefrom;

a control line anchored'at one end to said reel and guidably supportedby said guide means as it is extended and retracted to and from saidreel;

weighted means attached to the opposite end of said control line forreleasably securing a fishing line to said control line;

a reversible drive motor;

gear means coupling said reversible drive motor to said reel such thatwhen said drive means is not actuated, said reel is securely held inposition to hold said line at a predetermined selected position; and

means for actuating said drive motor to extend and retract said linefrom said reel wherein said actuating means includes means for supplyingpower and -a first switch which is normally off and which is coupledbetween said power supplying means and said motor for actuating saidmotor in first or second directions when said first switch is actuatedfrom a normally off position to extend or retract said line,operator-actuated bypassing means including a second switch foractuating said bypassing means to bypass said first switch for fullyretracting said control line.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said bypass meanscomprises:

a latching switch coupled between said power supply and said drive motorand actuated by said second switch to a closed and latched condition tocause said motor to rotate in said second direction to re- I tract saidline and;

turn-off means for deactivating said motor and opening said latchingswitch once said line is fully retrieved.

6. Theapparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein said latching switchcomprises an SCR and wherein said turn-off means comprises an overloadrelay serially coupled between said SCR and a winding for actuating saiddrive motor in said second direction.

7. A trolling apparatus to be mounted on a boat for lowering a controlline into the water to a desired depth and to which a fishing line isreleasably attached comprising: T

a line reel mounted to a reel shaft and having a periphelral channel forholding a control line therein;

a reel frame rotatably supporting said reel shaft and reel thereon;

a control line adapted to be wound on said reel and anchor'edat one endto said reel for extending and retracting said line into the water assaid reel is ro tated in opposite directions, said control lineincluding weighted means at an end opposite said one end for releasablycoupling a fishing line to said control line; i

a reversible electric drive motor'positioned on said reel frame; A

a switch, means for biasing said switch to a stable normally offposition, said switch being movable between first and second unstablepositions against the force of said biasing means for applying currentto'said drive motor 'for selectively actuating said motor in first orsecond directions, said switch providing for momentary actuation of saidmotor to facilitate slight adjustments in the depth of said weighted'rneans at the end of said control line; and

gear means for coupling said drive motor to said reel shaft to rotatesaid shaft in first and second directions to extend or retract saidcontrol line as said motor is actuated in said first and seconddirections, respectively said gear means having a gear ratio such thatsaid reel is held in a fixed position when said motor is not actuated.

8. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said coupling and holdingmeans comprises a plurality of interengaging gears coupled to said motorand to said reel shaft, said gears having a gear ratio between said reelshaft and said motor selected to prevent rotation of said reel shaftunless said motor is actuated.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 7, and further including:

a second drive motor positioned on said reel frame;

gear means for coupling said second drive motor to said reel shaft; and

switch means for selectively actuating said second motor simultaneouslywith said first named motor to drive said reel shaft with increasedtorque.

10. An electrically driven trolling reel comprising:

a reel for holding, paying out and retrieving a deep trolling line;

a deep trolling line comprising an electrical conductor anchored at oneend to said reel and including weighted means at an opposite end forreleasably coupling a fishing line to said trolling line;

a frame rotatably supporting said reel;

a source of electrical energy;

electrical drive means coupled to said reel to rotate said reel in firstor second directions to pay out or retrieve said trolling line;

control means coupled to said source and to said drive means andincluding switch means for selectively actuating said drive means infirst or second directions, said control means further including anoperator actuatable latching switch for actuating said drive meanscontinuously to rotate said reel in a direction to fully retrieve thetrolling line, and further including a turn-off switch serially coupledto said latching switch and opened to deactivate said drive means whenthe trolling line is fully retrieved.

11. The apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said drive means is anelectrical motor having first and second windings which are alternatelyactuated by a threeposition switch in said control means, said switchcoupled from said power supply to said motor windings and biased in anormally off position; and wherein said latching switch comprises an SCRhaving an anode-tocathode current path serially coupled between saidsource and one of said motor windings; and a gate electrode coupled tosaid source by means of a line raising switch to trigger said SCR intoconduction when said line raising switch is actuated.

. UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 3,916,555

DATED 1 November 4 1975 INVENTOR(S) William M. Booth et a1.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 31;

' Page 3, line 19;

real" should be reel Column 3, line 16;

Page 5, line 1 "Fig, 3" should be Fig. 3 Column 3, line 49;

Page 6, line 1;

"Fig. 16" should begin new paragraph; olumn 7, line 2;

Page 11, line 28;

"and" should be an "an" should be remote Column 7, line 7;

Page 12, line 1;

"are" should be and Column 7, line 52;

Page 13, line 6 "be" should be by Column 10 line 39 Page 18, line 9;

be" should be by Column 10, line 52;

Page 18, line 20;

"its" should be it Signed and Scaled this [SEAL] Sixth Day of April1976A ttest:

RUTH C. MASON Arresting Officer c. MARSHALL DANN Commissioner ufParenlsand Trademarks UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION iPATENT NO. 1 3,916,555

DATED 3 November 4 1975 INVENTOR(S) William M. Booth et a1.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent Q are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 31;

Page 3, line 19 "real" should be reel Column 3, llne 16; a Page 5 line 1"Fig, 3" should be Fig. 3

Column 3, line 49;

Page 6, line 1;

"Fig. l6 should begin new paragraph; Column 7, line 2;

Q Page 11, line 2 8;

"and" should be an "an" should be remote Column 7 line 7;

Page 12, line 1;

"are" should be and Q Column 7, line 52;

Page 13, line 6 "be" should be by Column 10, line 39;

Page 18, line 9;

be" should be by Q Column 10, line 52;

Page 18, line 20;

"its" should be it Signed and Scaled this [SEAL] sixth D8) of April1976A ttest:

RUTH C. MASON Arresting Officer c. MARSHALL DANN Commissioner uj'latenlsand Trademarks

1. A deep trolling apparatus adapted for mounting to a boat to pay outand retrieve a weighted control line to which a fishing line is attachedand thereby controllably positioned in the water comprising: a reelframe; a line reel rotatably mounted to said frame and having aperipheral channel for holding a line therein; line guide means coupledat one end to said reel frame and extending therefrom; a control lineanchored at one end to said reel and guidably supported by said guidemeans as it is extended and retracted to and from said reel; weightedmeans attached to the opposite end of said control line for releasablysecuring a fishing line to said control line; a reversible electricaldrive motor; gear means coupling said reversible drive motor to saidreel, and wherein said gear means has a gear ratio between said motorand said reel such that when said drive means is not actuated, said reelis securely held in position to hold said line at a predeterminedselected position; and means for selectively actuating said drive motorto extend and retract said line from said reel, said actuating meansincluding switch means and means for biasing said switch means to astable, normally off position, said switch means being movable to firstor second unstable positions against the force of said biasing means toapply first or second signals to said reversible drive motor to extendor retract said line, respectively.
 2. The apparatus as defined in claim1 wherein said reel frame rotatably supports a reel shaft to which saidline reel is fixedly attached and wherein said drive motor is a directcurrent electric motor and said gear means couples said motor to saidreel shaft.
 3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said reelframe includes a pair of arms rotatably supporting a reel shaft to whichsaid line reel is fixedly attached, and wherein said apparatus furtherincludes an additional drive motor positioned on an opposite side ofsaid reel frame from said first named drive motor, said additional motorcoupled to said reel shaft.
 4. A deep trolling apparatus adapted formounting to a boat to pay out and retrieve a weighted control line towhich a fishing line is attached and thereby controllably positioned inthe water comprising: a reel frame; a line reel rotatably mounted tosaid frame and having a peripheral channel for holding a line therein;line guide means coupled at one end to said reel frame and extendingtherefrom; a control line anchored at one end to said reel and guidablysupported by said guide means as it is extended and retracted to andfrom said reel; weigHted means attached to the opposite end of saidcontrol line for releasably securing a fishing line to said controlline; a reversible drive motor; gear means coupling said reversibledrive motor to said reel such that when said drive means is notactuated, said reel is securely held in position to hold said line at apredetermined selected position; and means for actuating said drivemotor to extend and retract said line from said reel wherein saidactuating means includes means for supplying power and a first switchwhich is normally off and which is coupled between said power supplyingmeans and said motor for actuating said motor in first or seconddirections when said first switch is actuated from a normally offposition to extend or retract said line, operator-actuated bypassingmeans including a second switch for actuating said bypassing means tobypass said first switch for fully retracting said control line.
 5. Theapparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said bypass means comprises: alatching switch coupled between said power supply and said drive motorand actuated by said second switch to a closed and latched condition tocause said motor to rotate in said second direction to retract said lineand; turn-off means for deactivating said motor and opening saidlatching switch once said line is fully retrieved.
 6. The apparatus asdefined in claim 5 wherein said latching switch comprises an SCR andwherein said turn-off means comprises an overload relay serially coupledbetween said SCR and a winding for actuating said drive motor in saidsecond direction.
 7. A trolling apparatus to be mounted on a boat forlowering a control line into the water to a desired depth and to which afishing line is releasably attached comprising: a line reel mounted to areel shaft and having a peripheral channel for holding a control linetherein; a reel frame rotatably supporting said reel shaft and reelthereon; a control line adapted to be wound on said reel and anchored atone end to said reel for extending and retracting said line into thewater as said reel is rotated in opposite directions, said control lineincluding weighted means at an end opposite said one end for releasablycoupling a fishing line to said control line; a reversible electricdrive motor positioned on said reel frame; a switch, means for biasingsaid switch to a stable normally off position, said switch being movablebetween first and second unstable positions against the force of saidbiasing means for applying current to said drive motor for selectivelyactuating said motor in first or second directions, said switchproviding for momentary actuation of said motor to facilitate slightadjustments in the depth of said weighted means at the end of saidcontrol line; and gear means for coupling said drive motor to said reelshaft to rotate said shaft in first and second directions to extend orretract said control line as said motor is actuated in said first andsecond directions, respectively said gear means having a gear ratio suchthat said reel is held in a fixed position when said motor is notactuated.
 8. The apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said couplingand holding means comprises a plurality of interengaging gears coupledto said motor and to said reel shaft, said gears having a gear ratiobetween said reel shaft and said motor selected to prevent rotation ofsaid reel shaft unless said motor is actuated.
 9. The apparatus asdefined in claim 7, and further including: a second drive motorpositioned on said reel frame; gear means for coupling said second drivemotor to said reel shaft; and switch means for selectively actuatingsaid second motor simultaneously with said first named motor to drivesaid reel shaft with increased torque.
 10. An electrically driventrolling reel comprising: a reel for holding, paying out and retrievinga deep trolling line; a deep trolling line comprisinG an electricalconductor anchored at one end to said reel and including weighted meansat an opposite end for releasably coupling a fishing line to saidtrolling line; a frame rotatably supporting said reel; a source ofelectrical energy; electrical drive means coupled to said reel to rotatesaid reel in first or second directions to pay out or retrieve saidtrolling line; control means coupled to said source and to said drivemeans and including switch means for selectively actuating said drivemeans in first or second directions, said control means furtherincluding an operator actuatable latching switch for actuating saiddrive means continuously to rotate said reel in a direction to fullyretrieve the trolling line, and further including a turn-off switchserially coupled to said latching switch and opened to deactivate saiddrive means when the trolling line is fully retrieved.
 11. The apparatusas defined in claim 10 wherein said drive means is an electrical motorhaving first and second windings which are alternately actuated by athree-position switch in said control means, said switch coupled fromsaid power supply to said motor windings and biased in a normally offposition; and wherein said latching switch comprises an SCR having ananode-to-cathode current path serially coupled between said source andone of said motor windings; and a gate electrode coupled to said sourceby means of a line raising switch to trigger said SCR into conductionwhen said line raising switch is actuated.